Syracuse Football vs USC Recap: The Dark Side

*Despite a hard fought first half, solid QB play from Ryan Nassib, some flashes of big plays, opening the bag of tricks a bit, and the feeling that maybe SU was going to send a message that they were not going to be the fly to USC's windshield, this one turned out just as many anticipated.

USC won big.

Frank Ordonez/ The Post Standard 2011

While a Syracuse fan can sort through the rubble and find a few bright spots and things to build on, they needed a close game for four quarters or a win to send the loudest message.

Instead, USC delivered the message that Syracuse isn't quite up to the challenge yet to win a game against a team like this on the road.

*There was hope SU would make a game of it in the second half.

As it turned out, that hope was short lived.

With USC up 24-3, Doug Marrone reached into his bag of tricks as Alec Lemon took a swing pass and tossed a 28-yard TD pass to Van Chew, who made a spectacular catch on the play.

USC went 3-and-out on their next drive and Syracuse took over with a 32-yard pass to Nick Provo on the first play of the next drive. You could honestly feel momentum shifting towards Syracuse here.

But Ryan Nassib was sacked just 3 plays later.

USC took over and got a bogus call in their favor. Robert Woods clearly dropped a pass that the refs credited him a catch for. Syracuse didn't review the play before USC got the next play off. That play was a 3rd and 5 that resulted in a first down.

The next play?

A 43-yard TD pass to Marqise Lee. USC 31-10.

Game. Set. Match.

*The Syracuse secondary was a concern coming into this match up with USC and didn't do much to ease that worry in this one.

Yes, Shamarko Thomas hurt his hamstring and Keon Lyn was on the sideline for a time with cramps, but USC was too much no matter who was out there.

Matt Barkley had a field day to the tune of. He had his efforts aided by broken coverages, miscommunication, and flat-out speed by USC receivers that Syracuse just couldn't match.

USC's receivers were better and faster. We knew this.

It only pours salt in the wound when Barkley had it so easy on so many key throws.

-Barkley's first TD pass was to a wide open Rhett Ellison. Ellison wasn't even covered.

-His second TD was to a streaking Robert Woods

-Barkley's third TD pass was to a wide open Randall Telfer, who got a love tap from Dan Vaughn before striding into the end zone otherwise untouched.

-Barkley's fourth TD was an easy pass to Marqise Lee, who ran by Brandon Reddish with barely an effort.

The Syracuse secondary was thought to be a strength coming into the season.

Facing a quarterback like Matt Barkley, as big of a test as you can get, puts that thought back to the drawing board.

*USC was just flat-out deadly on third down, converting 10-14 in this game.

*Little things become big things against a team like USC and there were too many little things that added up to bite Syracuse.

Dorian Graham, Alec Lemon, and Van Chew all had key drops in the first half.

Brandon Sharpe committed the most frustrating penalty for Syracuse for the game (maybe the year) with a late hit on Barkley early in the game handed USC great field position and an eventual touchdown.

Syracuse didn't punch it in for a touchdown on the first drive after 12 plays.

It all adds up.

*Shane Raupers didn't pass the test on his first real challenge punting on the road on grass. He just didn't put the boot to it like he needed to and left a few kicks in the first half short in spots where Syracuse needed to pin back USC further. Every yard counts with a QB like Matt Barkley on the other side of the field. Jonathan Fischer came out in relief for Raupers and may have re-opened that close punting competition we saw in training camp.

*While it was good to see him more involved in the passing game, and once the score got out of hand SU had to pass more, but it was another so-so day for Antwon Bailey running the ball. 11 carries for 47 yards for Bailey. A big game against Toledo seems to be just what the doctor ordered for a guy who could use a big day to get things rolling tom his full capability.

*Total yards favored USC 501-335.

*USC out rushed Syracuse 175-73.

*Syracuse has gone back to back games without going over 100 yards rushing.